Winchester Model 12 Trench Gun

[CanadaCollector]

Recently picked this up...for not too bad of a price. From what I can tell and through my research online this is a Winchester Model 12 Trench Gun serial number 1004989. According to the Winchester records I discovered this puts the date of manufacture as the 1945-1946 range. However from checking out Gunboards and various other forums regarding trench guns it seems the dating of these guns using the serial numbers is not accurate and can be up to a few years off on either side. The best way to date these guns is to look for a double digit date stamp on the bottom of the barrel closest to the receiver. I was able to discern a 43 indicating this gun may have been manufactured in 1943. Both the barrel and receiver have matching numbers and both seem to have the correct proofs with the flaming bomb and PW stamp, however the heatshield and bayonet lug seem to be the 6 row of holes variety that was used earlier in WW2 and WW1 and not of the 4 rows of holes as it should be...might be a wartime replacement perhaps? or a restored gun by the previous owner? The magazine tube is also parkerized as the rest of the gun is blued. Parkerizing, from what I hear was not used until Post-WW2. The heatshield and magazine tubes have no markings from what I can see and the stock is absent of any cartouches indicating it may be an unmarked replacement or refinished as is my likely guess. I managed to track down a modern military Winchester sling to place on it as I plan on taking this to the range for some slam firing fun in the near future Here are some pictures, hope you enjoy and feel free to comment.

 

[Audie]

Mmmmmmm this shakes me to the core. Firmly rustled indeed

 

[ryan]

Taking a quick look at that hand guard and bayonet attachment, I believe it is correct. There were unmarked bayonet attachments made in the serial number range you have. The fact that the hand guard is riveted, and the holes are smooth indicates to me that it is not a reproduction. Some of the cheaply made repros are spot welded, or have metric screws attaching them to the bayonet attachment, and the holes are roughly done.
There are of course, many fake trench guns out there, some made up from riot guns with repro attachments, as the genuine item often costs as much as the shotgun did.

 

[CanadaCollector]

Good to hear that. I have no doubts the gun isn't original. The magazine tube may be a post war replacement. I did manage to track down a Winchester M1917 bayonet to attach it thanks to a fellow CGNer!

 

[Steve1987]

Any trenchgun is a tough find in Canada. It seems like there's a few Vietnam era Model 12's up here.

Cheers,
-Steve

 

[bjmurata]

That must have been one fearsome close-in weapon to come up against,sure wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of her.